PHILIPPINES DEFENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24178, 21 January 1942, Page 7

PHILIPPINES DEFENCE

LULL IN OPERATIONS WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 The United States War Department, in a communique, says: "In the Philippines theatre ground operations during the past 24 hours have been of a-de-sultory nature. Enemy patrols were active and some incidental skirmishes took place with indecisive results. Enemy air activity was confined to frequent reconnaissances. "General Mac Arthur has been advised that the Filipino occupied areas have been summarily dispossessed of means of transportation and other equipment. Native farmers have been evicted from their homes and formed into labour groups. Harvested crops and food stores have been seized by the invaders." CHINA'S PRODUCTION LONDON, Jan. 20 Two thousand industrial co-operative enterprises are to-day playing an important part in China's production. The formation of small co-operative societies was first suggested by a New Zealander named Alley, a member of the Shanghai Municipal Council, and it received great encouragement from the British Ambassador, Sir Archibald Clark Kerr, who was a few days ago appointed Ambassador to Russia. LOSS OF DESTROYER (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 19 The Admiralty has announced the loss of the destroyer Vimiera. The Vimiera was a small destroyer of 900 tons, launched in 1917, and rearmed for escort duties in 1938-39. She carried four 4in. high-angle guns and two multiple machine-guns.